V1500 suspension question

[stvaughn]

I have a new to me 1990 V1500 Suburban. The front springs have a reverse arch and are on top of the axle and the rear springs are sitting on a 3-4” block above the axle. Is this the factory setup?

Thanks, Steve

 

[Keith Seymore]

Front springs should have a reverse arch, especially if they are the two leaf variety.

Rear springs should contact the rear axle directly (no blocks).

K

 

[stvaughn]

Front springs should have a reverse arch, especially if they are the two leaf variety.

Rear springs should contact the rear axle directly (no blocks).

K

Keith, here are pictures of the front and rear springs. There looks like a 4”ish
gap between front spring and the bump stop which I think would be normal. The rear has a 3”ish block but the rear wheel arch opening is only 1/2” higher than the front. I can see that removing the block at the rear would lower the rear but I can’t see anyway to lower the front. Am I missing something here?
Also there is almost no clearance between the rear spring and the bump stop.

Steve

 

[dd1990]

Rear springs don't seem right, looks like they took out leaf's or put a different leaf spring with less arch. I have 8 or 9 leaf's in my rear spring on my 90 Burb.

 

[bucket]

Looks like a 2.5" block from here. Probably added to get rid of the common Suburban "saggy" look.

Lots of half ton Burbs came with a rear 5-leaf pack.

 

[stvaughn]

I think you guys may be on to something. I just checked General spring and they show two rear springs, a 5 leaf rated 2000 lbs. and a 7 leaf rated 2300 lbs. My burb came equipped with heavy duty trailing special equipment package which I would guess would be the 7 leaf spring. Does the arch look right or is it too flat?

What about the front spring, does it look correct?

Steve

 

[dd1990]

I think you guys may be on to something. I just checked General spring and they show two rear springs, a 5 leaf rated 2000 lbs. and a 7 leaf rated 2300 lbs. My burb came equipped with heavy duty trailing special equipment package which I would guess would be the 7 leaf spring. Does the arch look right or is it too flat?

What about the front spring, does it look correct?

Steve

Kind of hard to see but here's a picture of my burbs leafs spring. I have 2.5 lift hence the block but if you look at springs I have one fat spring and then 7 more leafs...I have the heavy duty towing package as well

 

[stvaughn]

Kind of hard to see but here's a picture of my burbs leafs spring. I have 2.5 lift hence the block but if you look at springs I have one fat spring and then 7 more leafs...I have the heavy duty towing package as well

David, my old eyes really can’t make out anything in that picture but is yours a V 1500 or 2500?

 

[dd1990]

David, my old eyes really can’t make out anything in that picture but is yours a V 1500 or 2500?

v1500

 

[bucket]

David, my old eyes really can’t make out anything in that picture but is yours a V 1500 or 2500?

Are those 52's or 56's? That looks like the typical 2500 leaf pack. Iirc, my '90 V2500 had the same leaf pack, 52" long. My '86 K2500 was similar, but I don't remember if they were 52's or not. My C2500 Burbs have had similar packs, but 56" long.

My '88 V1500 had rear leaves similar to the ones in question, also with the trailering option.

 

[dd1990]

Are those 52's or 56's? That looks like the typical 2500 leaf pack. Iirc, my '90 V2500 had the same leaf pack, 52" long. My '86 K2500 was similar, but I don't remember if they were 52's or not. My C2500 Burbs have had similar packs, but 56" long.

My '88 V1500 had rear leaves similar to the ones in question, also with the trailering option.

On my Burb they are 56", they are 3/4 ton springs but some 1/2 tons were optioned with this known as the "heavy half."

 

[TotalyHucked]

I remember your earlier thread or posts about lowering the truck, is that what you're trying to accomplish?

Looking at the front, I don't think there's much you can do there. That appears to be stock springs and everything. Much lower and you'll have issues with the pumpkin and the oil pan trying to share space. The rear, as others have said, probably has that block to help with the sag that most 'burbs get over time. Your spring pack is likely worn out.

 

[stvaughn]

I remember your earlier thread or posts about lowering the truck, is that what you're trying to accomplish?

Looking at the front, I don't think there's much you can do there. That appears to be stock springs and everything. Much lower and you'll have issues with the pumpkin and the oil pan trying to share space. The rear, as others have said, probably has that block to help with the sag that most 'burbs get over time. Your spring pack is likely worn out.

Actually just trying to make it easier for my ancient body to get in and out. I have ordered a set of nerf bar style running boards but in the meantime I am trying to figure out just what suspension setup I have. Based on all the comments I have concluded that the rear springs have saged and the PO put blocks in there instead of replacing springs. Now my decision is whether to leave it as is or replace the springs and lose the blocks. Will the springs continue to sag even more? Will the ride improve if I put in new springs? Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

 

[bucket]

Actually just trying to make it easier for my ancient body to get in and out. I have ordered a set of nerf bar style running boards but in the meantime I am trying to figure out just what suspension setup I have. Based on all the comments I have concluded that the rear springs have saged and the PO put blocks in there instead of replacing springs. Now my decision is whether to leave it as is or replace the springs and lose the blocks. Will the springs continue to sag even more? Will the ride improve if I put in new springs? Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

Generally speaking, Suburbans always sat lower in the rear than their pickup truck brethren. They actually sit rather level, but the size of the rear wheel openings and the downward slope of the bodyline makes them appear saggy. Pickups usually ride a couple inches higher in the rear so they don't appear as saggy over time.

In short, the blocks are likely there for asthetic reasons only.

 

[mibars]

That's a one, big lift block you have in the rear.
My rear springs look slightly different, I don't have that plastic around the bracket keeping the leafs together.

I can't tell from the picture, but to you have a tiny lift block also in the front axle?